Reminisce Peshwa dynasty at Nana wada
Nana wada is made largely of timber, and has arches among other decorations. The balconies have wooden railings, the timber ceiling has a carved pattern running across it, and the columns in the front room are shaped like cypress trees
Built in 1780 by Nana Phadnavis, the chief administrative officer of the Peshwas, the Nana wada is one of the oldest heritage sites in the city which is a glimpse of the Peshwa age. The Nana wada is located close to the Shaniwar wada next to Vasant theatre.
Nana Phadnavis served the Maratha dynasty for a long time under four rulers in succession. After the death of Madhavrao Peshwa, the Maratha empire sustained its glory and grew in power under the leadership of Nana Phadnavis. One can see original architectural features still intact at Nana wada.
Pune’s Deccan Education Society began operating the New English School in this wada in 1907. As part of their expansion, a building was also built for the school. The colonial influence on the architecture of the building is clearly visible and makes the wada visually interesting.
Nana wada is made largely of timber, and has arches among other decorations. The balconies have wooden railings, the timber ceiling has a carved pattern running across it, and the columns in the front room are shaped like cypress trees. The faded wall paintings are hardly visible now.
The balcony of the wada has a dome shaped ceiling. The wooden architecture highlights the royal status of the wada. The first floor still has the ‘Diwan-Khana’ (court house) and a veranda with paintings on the walls. The finely carved wooden ceiling, arches, cypress-shaped pillars and motifs of the banana flower amazes a visitor. The wada also has an emergency exit provision with an escape stairway in the wall that leads one out of the wada.
Nana, being the Peshwa’s administrative officer, used the ancient ‘Modi’ script, transcribed and maintained their records of accounts and administrative letters.
The wada currently houses a municipal school and a municipal office of old records. Restoration of some parts has been undertaken to bring back the wada’s glory. Nana also built another wada at Menavali near Wai, which is considered to be the perfect example of wada architecture.